Getting married at San Francisco City Hall? Congratulations!
San Francisco City Hall is a beautiful place for a ceremony. I’ve had the pleasure to photograph many lovely weddings at this venue, and so I wanted to create a page just to answer questions related to holding a ceremony here.
How do I get married at San Francisco City Hall?
You must make a reservation. Ceremonies are available Monday-Friday at 10:00 am through 3:30 pm every half hour. There are three reservation slots available during each time period. Reservations require a payment of $70 at the time of booking. After submitting payment for a reservation, no reservation changes may be made (i.e., rescheduling). Couples may not reschedule an existing appointment. The marriage license is valid for 90 days from the marriage license issuance. Appointments may be made:
·Online – Reservations can be made with Online Civil Ceremony Reservations with a Visa or MasterCard only. A $5.00 convenience fee will be added.
·In person - Reservations may be made by one of the parties to the marriage or a third party. The person making the reservation must be able to pay at the time of making the appointment. Cash, money order, and debit card will be the ONLY method of payment accepted when making the reservation in person.
Where do we actually hold the ceremony?
Ceremonies are performed in a location determined by the commissioner (usually a private ceremony room or the rotunda, if available.) Specific requests for the rotunda or any other area will NOT be accepted as they cannot guarantee availability.)
Couples may, for an additional fee, choose to hold their ceremony on the 4th floor, or on the Mayor’s Balcony. Both locations offer space for up to 100 guests, up to one hour of time, and also offer more privacy as each area is roped off from the public. Click here to take a Photo Tour of City Hall.
Which location is best?
Well, this is a matter of opinion. The Rotunda is beautiful and free! Things to consider about this location is that it can’t be guaranteed, you are limited to a maximum of 6 guests, there is no guarantee of privacy (it is adjacent to the elevators and administrative offices), and that you are allowed only 10 minutes for the ceremony and photos. (Depending on the day/time, other couples next in line to be married may be standing near by during your ceremony).
The 4th Floor and the Mayor’s Balcony are both more private, accommodate up to 100 guests, and allow up to 1 hour. Couples may also choose to have chairs provided for their guests, as well as a table for a champagne toast. Things to consider about these locations are that both require advance reservations through the Office of Special Events as well as an additional rental fee of approximately $1,002.
How do I reserve the 4th Floor or the Mayor’s Balcony?
Contact the City Hall Events Department. Office hours are 9:00 am-5:30 pm, Monday through Friday. Event Planners are available to answer your questions and help you with your reservation. Just call (415) 554-6068 to discuss your event needs at City Hall. You can also visit them online.
What does it cost to get married at San Francisco City Hall?
The marriage license fee is $93. The fee to hold a ceremony on-site in the Rotunda or a private ceremony room with the County Clerk is $70. The fee to hold a ceremony with a County Clerk off the City Hall grounds is $217. For more information, contact the Office of the County Clerk, Room 168, at (415) 554-4950, by email at: county.clerk@sfgov.org, or online at www.sfgov.org/countyclerk.
For more information on renting the 4th Floor or Mayor’s Balcony, holding events in the evening or on a weekend, or holding events that have more than 6 guests or last longer than 10 minutes, please contact the Office of Special Events, Room 495, at (415) 554-6079 or online at: www.sfgov.org/cityhallevents.
How far in advance do we have to reserve a reservation for a City Hall ceremony?
Appointments may be made up to 90 days in advance. Popular dates, such as Valentine’s Day, or 10/10/10, etc book far in advance and may not be available.
Where is San Francisco City Hall located? Where can I park?
San Francisco City Hall is wheelchair accessible and very convenient to public transportation. The closest accessible Bart Station is Civic Center, three blocks from City Hall. Accessible Muni lines are the 42, 71 and F Line to Market and Van Ness, Civic Center. Public parking garage is conveniently located across the street from City Hall at Civic Center Plaza.
Where do we go for the marriage license?
Room 168, on the first floor. The couple and no more than 2 witnesses should arrive at the Information Desk at City Hall, Room 168 for check-in 10 minutes before your appointment time (other witnesses need to wait in the waiting area.)
What do we need to bring with us on the big day?
Legal photo identification, cash or check to pay all fees, a valid marriage license, 1 witness, and no more than 6 guests. (And don’t forget the rings!)
Do we need a witness?
If you are obtaining a public marriage license, then YES, you do need 1 witness. Note: City Hall can not, and will not, provide or act as your witness. If you are obtaining a private marriage license, you do NOT need a witness.
Can my photographer act at my witness?
Yes! I have done this for my clients in the past, and welcome the opportunity to do so again. It’s an honor. Just ask!
How long does the whole process take?
It takes approximately 30 minutes to obtain the marriage license. It is recommended that if you plan to obtain the marriage license on the SAME day as the ceremony, that you book the two appointments at least 1 hour apart. The actual ceremony lasts about 5 minutes, with a total of 10 minutes given to each couple, when the ceremony is performed in the Rotunda by the County Clerk. Ceremonies conducted on the 4th Floor, or Mayor’s Balcony, by a private officiant may last up to 1 hour.
After the ceremony, then what?
Breathe….relax…..celebrate! After the ceremony, we typically photograph family and couple shots on-site at San Francisco City Hall. For larger City Hall packages, we also visit several sites around San Francisco for photographs.
What are your rates for San Francisco City Hall wedding photography?
I offer coverage in packages of 2, 3 and 4 hours. Rates start at $975 and include images on dvd. Please inquire for details.
Where can I see photos of San Francisco City Hall weddings that you’ve photographed?
Just type in “San Francisco City Hall” into the search box at the top of my blog. Or, if you prefer, click here to see Frank & Linda’s San Francisco City Hall wedding.